Western military officials express concerned over Iran's growing interest in UAVs

Iran
plans to test unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and short-range
missiles as the country looks for new resources to try and pressure
the western world. The new UAV venture was recently introduced
during a press conference in Iran, with the country also announcing
its interested in unmanned helicopters.

Iranian Defense
Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi confirmed the use of
long-range UAVs in Iran's growing fleet of aircraft. The
country confirmed
in early spring that it wanted to develop UAVs, with early
development starting in February.

The country also
has a short-range UAV in development that will fly 400 to 500 meters
in altitude and should be designed as a "stealth aircraft."

The
United States military has
opened up UAV technology to allies, but what they have
access to is supposed to be relatively restricted. Meanwhile,
Iran's initial announcement of UAV development drew immediate
criticism from some western military leaders weary of Iranian
unmanned technological developments.

U.S. Defense Secretary
Robert Gates noted Iran could create "difficulties" in Iraq
and Afghanistan for the U.S. and coalition forces. Even though
Iran will be unable to compete head-to-head with U.S.-made UAVs,
there is concern Iran could loan UAV use to organized terror
groups.

Since steadily building its military effectiveness
since the early 1990s, Iran has attempted to reassure the world that
its development of tanks, missiles, fighter jets and armored military
transports are for defensive purposes only.

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